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10 Interesting facts about the Victorian Era

Posted on Nov 18, 2015

1. They take mourning seriously. Women often wore mourning rings which were usually made from onyx or jet and featured hair from the deceased person. Some would even bottle their mourning tears. Often, women were hired to stand at a bachelors grave site, usually blonde, to cry inconsolably so that he seemed adored.

2. Hypnotism, divination and spiritualism were huge. They would attend many events where they could get their future read, speak to the deceased or be hypnotised. This was a big money industry in this Era which was usually filled with greatly paid actors.

3. Taxidermy was also huge in the Victorian Era. They collected many pieces and more notable the works of Walter Potter who would create taxidermy such as kittens having a tea party...

4. Victorians wore a lot of black. This is because of the pollution which was mainly from coal which left clouds of pollution over cities. If a woman wore a light colours they would come home with a greyish tinge to their clothing.

5. Freakshows were also big in the Victorian Era. Going to a freakshow for them was just as normal and accessible as us going to the movies.

6. When someone passed the family would often have a photograph taken of the body. Sometimes the family would even pose with the body to make it look alive.

7. Gothic novels were at their peak. Some of the best were written in this era, think of Dracula and the works of Edgar Allan Poe.

8. A lady would not wear a skirt that showed her ankles. "modesty boards" were made to hide the womans ankles when she would sit as exposing your ankle was considered too racy.

9. Corsets of the Victorian era can almost not be worn by someone of today. Their corsets would clinch their waist so tightly to around just 16 inches. This warped the body structure causing a large range of medical issues such as breathing and even trouble in child birth.

10. When women "paid calls" to someone (went to someones home to tell them something or to have a chat) it was done in the afternoon. If it was done any sooner it was classed as bad manners. You wouldn't stay for long and if someone else would come while you were there you would exit gracefully.

5 comments

Why were the people forcing themselves to wear tight clothes?
In the #9th fact?
Why why why?

PaCiFiEr231: January 14, 2017

The #6th fact is a serious a lol

Bella: December 13, 2016

Lauren Scott, the girl (the one in the middle) is dead. I understand why you thought they all were dead. It’s really weird… Taking a pic of someone who passed away.

Lauren Scott: November 26, 2016

Very interesting. However, with fact #6, which of those 3 people were the deceased? Not to make light of someones passing, but they all look like they passed away. Sorry, couldn’t resist. Are you sure this wasn’t faked? Seriously, do you know?